BLUE Peter presenter Joel Defries visited the Blue Planet Aquarium to film a feature for the CBBC programme.

The 24-year-old spent two days at the award-winning aquarium to record a film for the popular children’s show. It is due to be broadcast on June 3.

Joel, who is an experienced diver, joined the show in 2008 and is its 34th presenter since it first aired in 1958.

Paul Renolds of the Blue Planet Aquarium said: “It was fantastic having Joel and the rest of the Blue Peter crew at the aquarium and proved an unexpected extra bonus for younger visitors who had the chance to meet him and watch the filming.

“It was all really exciting and I think the director and Joel were delighted with the results, although it all involved a lot of planning and the use of some cutting edge technology.

“We don’t want to give away too much before the episode is featured but we can say that it involved sharks and a bit of unusual early spring cleaning!”

Born in London, Joel began his media career in New Zealand. He presented a live music show called Live at Yours and became a household name among young New Zealanders.

He also presented a Sunday morning radio show for the Edge called Joel's Take Out.

Last year Joel presented the 13 episodes of CBBC programme Keep Your Enemies Close, a children's game show.

There are more than 50 living displays in five themed areas at the aquarium, including tropical sharks, lobsters, seahorses and stingrays.

At the aquarium’s heart is the 3.8 million litre Caribbean Reef display.